zzutak

Not odd, not uncommon. CGC Grader notes rarely document all of a mid-grade book's various blemishes/defects/flaws. I think Bo's assessment is solid. For simplicity, let's assume the post-CPR (clean-press-regrade) specimen has a 50% chance of being recertified as a CGC 5.0 and a 50% chance of getting bumped up to CGC 5.5. Would I spend $250 (Unlimited Value tier CPR fees, plus round-trip shipping) on a procedure that has only a 50% chance of increasing the book's value by $250? No -- I'm not averse to gambling, but I tend to avoid playing unless the odds are strongly in my favor. One man's opinion, for what it's worth.

A very generous offer from Matt! For the record, you (the OP) would be submitting this book under the Unlimited Value (UV) tier. Good luck!

The ReHolder service will not be available because you're altering the already encapsulated copy. Hence, any "new" submission with a reproduction cover will be regraded and encapsulated with a new serial number. However, the newly certified book will still be assigned a NG grade. If you insist on going forward, the reproduction cover should ideally be attached using the original staples that are currently holding the interior wraps. However, I see no real downside to using cellophane/Magic tape, as this specific coverless copy is already very heavily taped. Examples:

Cellophane and Magic tape will eventually stain the paper, so use as little as possible.

It sounds like the OP has already cherry-picked his own collection (which will make the leftovers far less attractive to any flipper/reseller who values his/her time): Archie titles are pretty PG, so you might consider donating some/all to a local children's hospital.

Many thanks to Bryan for another very well organized con. And many thanks to all who set up a booth and/or supported the event.

Try again -- but this time, take the lens cap off your camera.

Hi, all. Thanks for stopping by! This weekend, I’m offering a small selection of Atomic Age (1950s) War Comics. All books are guaranteed to be unrestored. Payment may be by PayPal, Cashier’s Check, USPS Money Order, or business/personal check. Payment must be received within seven calendar days of being invoiced (unless other arrangements have been agreed to via PM). Items will be shipped within two business days of your payment (fully insured with delivery or signature confirmation). The exact cost of shipping will be added to your order (for example, I can ship 1~3 books to a domestic address via boxed USPS Ground Advantage for $5~6). Returns will be cheerfully accepted (provided that you alert me to the return via PM within one week of receipt), but the cost of shipping and return shipping will be on you. International buyers are welcomed. Miscreants, wankers, and folks currently on probation are not. Please PM me to claim a book or if you have questions. Happy hunting! SECTION 1: 1950s ATLAS WAR Battle #32 (Atlas; Sep 1954). Grade = 2.5 GD+ to 3.0 GD/VG ow-wh. Price = $30. Great Russ Heath cover (one of my personal Top-60 Atlas war covers). Jay Scott Pike, Paul Reinman, John Severin, and George Tuska story art. Structurally solid with ink transfer and soiling to front and back covers. ¾” split at spine bottom. Slight rust on top staple, but cover and centerfold securely attached. White inside covers and ow-wh pages. Battle #39 (Atlas; Apr 1955). Grade = 4.0 VG ow-wh. Price = $30. Joe Maneely cover. Díck Ayers, Fred Kida, Sy Moskowitz, and John Romita story art. Structurally solid with light soiling to front and back covers. Supple and completely intact spine. Clean staples with cover and centerfold securely attached. Nearly white inside covers and ow-wh pages. Battle #50 (Atlas; Jan 1957). Grade = 4.0 VG ow-wh. Price = $30. John Severin cover. Mort Drucker, Bill Everett, Don Heck, Mac Pakula, and Paul Reinman story art. Clean copy with moderate edge wear. Supple and completely intact spine. Clean staples with cover and centerfold securely attached. Supple cr-ow inside covers and ow-wh pages. Battle #54 (Atlas; Sep 1957). Grade = 3.5 VG- white. Price = $25. Fantastic Fred Kida cover. Carl Burgos, Gene Colan, Richard Doxsee, Paul Reinman, and Syd Shores story art. Clean copy with several color-breaking creases and stress lines. Supple and completely intact spine. Clean staples with cover and centerfold securely attached. Supple cream inside covers and ow-wh pages. Battle #58 (Atlas; Jun 1958). Grade = 3.0 GD/VG ow-wh. Price = $20. John Severin cover. Gene Colan, Richard Doxsee, Mac Pakula, John Romita, and Syd Shores story art. Light chipping and pre-chipping along right edge of front cover. Large moisture stain along top edge of back cover (and last eight interior leaves). Worn but intact spine. Clean staples with cover and centerfold securely attached. Supple cr-ow inside covers and ow-wh pages. Battle #60 (Atlas; Oct 1958). Grade = 2.5 GD+ ow-wh. Price = $20. Fred Kida cover. Dave Berg, Johnny Craig, and Jay Scott Pike story art. A solid lower-grade copy. Heavy creasing with a few chips/pieces out and a thin moisture stain along top edge. Heavy spine wear with ¾” splits at top and bottom. Clean staples with cover and centerfold securely attached. Light tan inside covers and supple ow-wh pages. Battle #63 (Atlas; Apr 1959). Grade = 4.5 VG+ ow-wh. Price = $50. Carl Burgos cover. Díck Ayers, Steve Ditko, Don Heck, Jim Mooney, and Joe Sinnott story art. Clean copy with 3” crease across bottom-right corner and moderate edge wear. Supple and completely intact spine. Clean staples with cover and centerfold securely attached. Supple cr-ow inside covers and ow-wh pages. Battle #64 (Atlas; Jun 1959). Grade = 4.5 VG+ ow-wh. Price = $60. Action-packed Jack Kirby cover. Carl Burgos, Jack Kirby, Jay Scott Pike, Paul Reinman, and Joe Sinnott story art. Clean copy with toning and light chipping along top edge. Intact spine. Clean staples with cover and centerfold securely attached. Supple ow inside covers and ow-wh white pages. Battle #66 (Atlas; Oct 1959). Grade = 1.5 FR/GD ow-wh. Price = $20. Another Jack Kirby cover. Jack Davis, Jack Kirby, Don Heck, John Severin, and Joe Sinnott story art. Very heavy cover and spine wear. ¾” split at spine bottom. Clean staples with front cover (only) detached at top staple. Supple ow inside covers and ow-wh pages. Battle #68 (Atlas; Feb 1960). Grade = 1.5 FR/GD ow-wh. Price = $25. Awesome Jack Kirby cover. Jack Kirby, Carl Burgos, Don Heck, John Severin story art. Light handling wear but significant oxidation-related damage. Brittle-type chipping at spine bottom and along bottom edge. 4½” split at spine bottom. Clean staples with cover and centerfold still attached. Lt-cr inside covers and supple ow-wh pages. Battle Action #19 (Atlas; Oct 1955). Grade = 3.0 GD/VG ow-wh. Price = $20. Joe Maneely cover. Gene Colan, Bob Forgione, Jack Katz, and Joe Sinnott story art. Clean copy with long front cover creases and other color-breaking wear. Supple and completely intact spine. Clean staples with cover and centerfold securely attached. Supple cr-ow inside covers and ow-wh pages. Battle Action #26 (Atlas; Dec 1956). Grade = 3.0 GD/VG ow-wh. Price = $20. John Severin cover. Sid Check, Bob Forgione, Joe Maneely, Chuck Miller, and Paul Reinman story art. Moderate handling but oxidation-related chipping along bottom edge. 1” split at spine bottom. Clean staples with cover and centerfold securely attached. Cream inside covers (with tan halo) and supple ow-wh pages. Battle Brady #11 (Atlas; Feb 1953). Grade = 1.0 FR ow-wh. Price = $10. Awesome Syd Shores cover. Syd Shores and Norm Steinberg story art. Extensive moisture damage (ink transfer, staple rust, foxing, etc). Cover detached and 100% split. 2” tear from right edge of front cover. Centerfold still attached. Off-white inside covers and supple ow-wh pages. Battlefront #27 (Atlas; Jan 1955). Grade = 1.25 FR+ ow-wh. Price = $10. Russ Heath cover. Díck Ayers, Gene Colan, Vince Colletta, Bob Forgione, and Russ Heath story art. Heavy wear. Silverfish chews along bottom half of spine. Spine 50% split but cover and centerfold still securely attached at both staples. Supple ow inside covers and ow-wh pages. Battlefront #30 (Atlas; Apr 1955). Grade = 1.25 FR+ ow-wh. Price = $10. Russ Heath cover. Díck Ayers, Bill Benulis, Don Heck, and Syd Shores story art. Clean, bright, and tight. Pieces out along 65% of right edge. Supple and completely intact spine. Clean staples with cover and centerfold securely attached. Supple white inside covers and ow-wh pages. Battlefront #44 (Atlas; Jan 1957). Grade = 1.25 FR+ ow. Price = $10. John Severin cover. Díck Ayers, Dave Berg, Mort Drucker, Bill Everett, and Joe Sinnott story art. Heavy wear. Chipping along right edge of front cover. Thin piece out along top edge of back cover. Worn but generally intact spine with cover and centerfold securely attached. Supple off-white inside covers and pages. Combat Casey #23 (Atlas; Aug 1955). Grade = 2.5 GD+ ow-wh. Price = $20. Nifty Russ Heath cover. Robert Q. Sales story art (all four stories). Moisture staining along all four edges. Intact and supple spine. Light staple rust, but cover and centerfold still securely attached. White inside covers and supple ow-wh pages. War Action #3 (Atlas; Jun 1952). Grade = 2.0 GD ow-wh. Price = $20. Nice Sol Brodsky cover. Paul Reinman, Mac Pakula, and Werner Roth story art. Heavy cover wear with some soling/staining. Worn spine with 2½” diagonal tear onto front cover from spine bottom. Cover and centerfold attached at both staples. Supple ow-wh inside covers and pages. War Comics #39 (Atlas; Jan 1956). Grade = 2.0 GD ow-wh. Price = $15. Joe Maneely cover. Bob Brown, Vic Carrabotta, Gene Colan, Mac Pakula, and Syd Shores story art. Moderate cover and spine wear. Cover barely attached at both staples. White inside covers and supple ow-wh pages. PM zzutak

Sure. Improper pressing can also result in a blown (popped) staple, a split spine, and a host of other defects. Naturally, all downside risks will be minimized when the book is evaluated and treated by an experienced and skilled professional.

My money would be on this being a post-manufacturing defect. "Little bindery tear" sounds nice, but the missing chip and bottom edge wear makes me lean towards it being a handling defect. It's certainly not common to any of the 9.4+ copies of this issue I've seen. One man's opinion, naturally.